Atheism and social action

Information

We discuss the problem of solidarity
and atheism. For example we need
advices for people who lost their
beliefs and want something new.
We must strengthened the idea of
social solidarity and discuss the
ancient faults of the Left

After almost 4 years of trying, we finally get the chance to host the heroic human rights and child advocate Leo Igwe. Leo will be speaking on July 15th. The program will offer us the chance to hear harrowing challenges and on-going success stories. We'll also have the opportunity to understand our own part in "what's next?".

Who:

Leo Igwe's work covers key areas of interest to us all. He's been doing social justice work for almost 15 years. He'll speak on the link between human rights, civil liberties, health, education and development. The link between skeptical reason, practical activism and social justice is an ongoing project you’re invited to join in. He's in NYC for only one day. Let's turn out to welcome him.

The problems of child abuse, neglect, trafficking and suffering are well known. What is less well known is one of the causes is superstition, irrational tradition and a lack of science-based health care and education. This cripples communities and costs lives.

Now there is action that changes lives; rescuing these children from abandonment, stigmatization, mind-numbing abuse, and even murder. They are children (and adults, mostly women, often widows) who’ve been accused of witchcraft and demon possession. They suffer a loss of human rights, human dignity and hope.

Secular Humanist, skeptic and child advocate Leo Igwe is changing things. He has survived slander, harassment by politicians and police, multiple assaults, imprisonment, home invasions and hospitalizing attacks on his family members. His property has been stolen. His father was blinded, losing an eye. He lives under ongoing threats. Yet he continues to risk all and tell the truth for those who's stories would otherwise have no rational witness.

The Day of Solidarity for Black Non-Believers (DoS) is held annually on the final weekend in February. Nonbelievers use this day as an opportunity to build genuine communal relationships and launch a wave of activism among non-theists of color. The DoS event is also an effort to bring out closeted nonbelievers and let them know that they are not alone.

Ayanna Watson of Black Atheists of America has sparked a project focusing on the diversity of careers within the secular community. The project includes photographic portraits and some personal testimony about work experience, passion and aspiration.

Ayanna will introduce some of the project’s participants. There will be the chance to ask questions and share stories, including your own.

Seon M. Lewis, The Spice Island Atheist and one of the voices of Caribbean Atheists, is a consistent Harlem Community member many of us know from his sharp observations, broad knowledge and warm easygoing style. He recently completed the book “From Mythology to Reality: Moving Beyond Rastafari”. His liberating intellectual journey from theism, through mystical Afrocentrism, to reasoned non-theism is one of following the evidence to where it leads.

Seon will share how he came to write his book, which challenges pseudo-history and false assumptions about a vital resistance culture. It also looks at how an inspiring rebel community can fall pray to sexism, racism, homophobia and xenophobia. The way he respectfully engages family and community in a conversation about mythology and fiction vs. reality and facts is an informative one. How to be Afrocentric without drowning in the dogma of Afrocentrism, or any “...ism” including our own, is part of what he’ll share.

The Ryan Nomination, The Obama Re-Election Campaign, and the LeftBy Mark Naison

The Ryan Nomination, The Obama Re Election Campaign, and the Left

When the Communist Party and other leftists decided it was a priority to elect President Roosevelt in 1936, they didn't slow down their labor organizing and civil rights agitation - they escalated it. ...

Obama supporters who want progressives to take precious energies away from grass roots movements to re-elect the president are, whether intentionally or not, sabotaging long term possibilities of democratic change. And they are NOT following the example of radicals from the Depression Era who built the industrial labor movement. ...